Razor handle

ABSTRACT

A razor handle with a counterbalance of a weight and/or magnet disposed therein are disclosed. The handle may include upper and lower enclosures extending between two opposing ends and may be divided into two parts: a base and an arm. The weight and/or magnet may be disposed within the base and between the upper and lower enclosures, and a horizontal length of the base may be less than the horizontal length of the arm. The counterbalance creates a center of mass of the base which is horizontally closer to a pivot surface than a center of mass of the arm. As a result, whenever a lower surface of the arm or a surface of an upper enclosure is placed in a resting position on a horizontal surface when the razor is not employed by a user, a cartridge coupled to the razor handle will not contact the horizontal surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/081,114, filed Sep. 21, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In addition, this application incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/776,300 herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Handheld razors include a cartridge of blades coupled to a razor handle. In many instances, one or more strips employ lubricant(s) may to help achieve a closer shave and/or provide a moisturizer to the shaver's or user's skin. When the user is finished with his or her shave, the razor is often placed on a surface in a position where the lubricating strips contact the surface which can result with a messy surface and/or an unhygienic exposure to surface germs.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a razor comprising a razor handle and a cartridge. The use of this razor may improve the cleanliness of the shaving area and/or hygiene of a user by preventing the cartridge from contacting a surface upon which the razor rests when not employed by the user.

In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a razor handle comprising a weight and/or a magnet therein and disposed between upper and lower surfaces which extend between two opposing ends. In some embodiments, razor handle may be defined with a base and an arm. With the weight disposed within the base and the razor handle being placed in a resting position, the weight within a base sections acts as a counterbalance to a moment created by the arm to prevent the arm and cartridge of blades coupled to the arm from contacting the surface when the razor is not employed by a user.

In another aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a razor handle defined with a base and an arm, wherein a weight and/or a magnet are disposed within the base. The base has a center of mass located a first distance from a pivot surface, and the arm has a center of mass located a second distance from the pivot surface. In some embodiments, the first distance is less than the second distance to prevent the arm and cartridge of blades coupled to the arm from contacting the surface when the razor is not employed by a user.

In a further aspect, a first moment of the base about a horizontal axis is greater than a second moment of the arm about the horizontal axis when a lower surface of the base rests on a horizontal surface when the razor handle is not employed by a user.

In a further aspect, a horizontal length of the base is less than a horizontal length of the arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the inventive embodiments, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A through 1D illustrate side, top, bottom, and perspective views, respectively, of a razor, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate side, top, bottom, and side views of a razor handle, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 3A through 3C illustrate side, top, and bottom views of the razor handle, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of the razor, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate side views of the razor handle, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 4D and 4E illustrate side views of the razor, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate exemplars of prior art razor holder systems, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 5C through 5E illustrate side, lower perspective, and upper perspective views of a razor holder system, in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIGS. 5F and 5G illustrate perspective and side views of the razor being magnetically held from a vertical surface, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, several specific details are presented to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the inventive concepts disclosed herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or in combination with other components. In other instances, well-known implementations or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of various embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1A through 1D, side, top, bottom, and perspective views are shown, respectively, to illustrate an embodiment of razor 100 suitable for implementation of the inventive concepts described herein. Razor 100 includes razor handle 110, cartridge 190 within which one or more blades are disposed, and cartridge receiving module 192 for coupling cartridge 190 to razor handle 110.

The external surface of razor handle 110 includes upper external surface 112 and lower external surface 114 extending between first end 116 and second end 118 to which cartridge 190 is coupled. Upper external surface 112 extends upwardly away from horizontal reference 120 between first end 116 and neck 122 and downwardly towards horizontal reference 120 between neck 122 and second end 118.

Lower external surface 114 extends substantially parallel to and/or along horizontal reference 120 between first end 116 and pivot surface 124, upwardly away from horizontal reference 120 between pivot surface 124 and neck 122, and downwardly towards horizontal reference 120 between neck 122 and second end 118.

In some embodiments, second end 118 may include opening into which cartridge receiving module 192 may be permanently inserted to facilitate the coupling of cartridge 190 to razor handle 110. In addition, cartridge receiving module 192 may include button 194 that, when pushed towards cartridge 190, ejects or decouples cartridge 190 from razor handle 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A through 2D, side, top, bottom, and side views of razor handle 110 are illustrated, respectively. Razor handle 110 may be formed from upper enclosure 126 and lower enclosure 128, and weight 130 and/or magnet 132 disposed substantially vertically between upper and lower enclosures 126 and 128, respectively, where the internal structures of upper and lower enclosures 126 and 128, respectively, have been adapted to secure a counterbalance comprising a weight 130 and/or magnet 132 in between these enclosures. Similarly, weight 130 and/or magnet 132 are disposed substantially horizontally between first end 116 and pivot surface 124. As embodied herein, the counterbalance counters the weight (or mass) of razor handle 110 between it and second end 118 so that neither second end 118 nor cartridge 190 coupled to second of razor handle 110 contacts neither surface 162 (shown below) when razor handle 110 rests in a horizontal resting position when not employed by a user nor vertical surface 208 (shown below) when razor handle 110 magnetically rests in a vertical resting position when not employed by a user.

Using an alternative frame of reference, weight 130 and/or magnet 132 are disposed substantially vertically between upper and lower external surfaces 112 and 114, respectively, wherein the internal structure in between upper and lower external surfaces 112 and 114 has been adapted to secure weight 130 and/or magnet 132 in between these surfaces.

In some embodiments, weight 130 and magnet 132 may be separate components. In some embodiments, weight 130 and magnet 132 may be integrated into and/or manufactured as one component. As discussed in detail below, weight 130 and/or magnet 132 may be employed to hold down base 134 and/or as a counterbalance to arm 136 so that a moment of base 134 (which includes weight 130 and/or magnet 132) exceeds an opposing moment of arm 136. If cartridge 190 is coupled to razor handle 110, weight 130 and/or magnet 132 may be employed to hold down base 134 and/or as a counterbalance to arm 136 and cartridge 190 so the moment base 134 exceeds opposing moments of arm 136 and cartridge 190.

Upper and lower enclosures 126 and 128, respectively, extend between first end 116 and second end 118. The external surface of upper enclosure 126 may include contiguous sections including, but not limited to, first upper section 126 a, second upper section 126 b, and third upper section 126 c; likewise, the external surface of lower enclosure 128 may include continuous sections including, but not limited to, first lower section 128 a, second lower section 128 b, and third lower section 128 c.

First upper section 126 a extends upwardly away from first end 116 at angle measured from horizontal reference 120. Second upper section 126 b extends upwardly away from first upper section 126 a at a lesser angle measured from horizontal reference 120 until reaching neck 122. Third upper section 126 c extends downwardly away from second upper section 126 b and towards horizontal reference 120 until reaching second end 118.

First lower section 128 a extends away from first end 116 and substantially parallel to horizontal reference 120 until reaching pivot surface 124. Second lower section 128 b extends upwardly from pivot surface 124 and generally towards second upper section 126 b. Third lower section 128 c extends downwardly away from second lower section 128 b and towards horizontal reference 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A through 3C, side, top, and bottom views of 110 razor handle are illustrated, respectively. As shown, razor handle 110 may be defined by or divided into base 134 and arm 136. Base 134 includes weight 130 and/or magnet 132 (neither shown) and may be the portion of razor handle 110 in between first end 116 and vertical reference 138 extending through pivot surface 124 and substantially perpendicularly from horizontal reference 120. Arm 136 may be the portion of razor handle 110 in between vertical reference 138 and second end 118 (i.e., portion of razor handle 110 that excludes base 134).

Length 140 of base 134 may be the horizontal distance between pivot axis 142 (about which pivot surface 124 pivots) and first end 116, and moment arm 144 of base 134 may be the horizontal distance between pivot axis 142 and center of mass 146 of base 134. Likewise, length 148 of arm 136 may be the horizontal distance between pivot axis 142 and second end 118, and moment arm 150 of arm 136 may be the horizontal distance between pivot axis 142 and center of mass 152 of arm 136. As shown, length 140 is less than length 148 and moment arm 144 is less than moment arm 150.

Height 154 of second end 118 above horizontal reference 120 may be the vertical distance between horizontal reference 120 and the bottom of second end 118 as measured along a vertical axis (not shown) extending perpendicularly away from horizontal reference 120 and through the bottom of the second end 118.

Referring to FIG. 3D, a side view of razor 100 is illustrated. Cartridge 190 is coupled to razor handle 110. Moment arm 156 may be the horizontal distance between pivot axis 142 (about which pivot surface 124 pivots) and center of mass 196 of cartridge 190. As shown, moment arm 150 as shown in FIG. 3A is less than moment arm 156. Height 160 of cartridge 190 above horizontal reference 120 may be the vertical distance between horizontal reference 120 and point 198 of cartridge 190, the closest point of cartridge 190 to horizontal reference 120 as measured along a vertical axis (not shown) extending perpendicularly away from horizontal reference 120 and through point 198 and parallel to vertical reference 138.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A through 4C, side views of razor handle 110 are illustrated. In FIG. 4A, razor handle 110 has been placed in a horizontal resting position on surface 162 such as, but not limited to, a horizontal bathroom counter next to sink when not in use. The distributed mass or weight of base 134, as represented by concentrated force 164 being applied to center of mass 146, creates a clockwise moment 166 about pivot surface 124; similarly, the distributed mass or weight of arm 136, as represented by concentrated force 168 being applied to center of mass 152, creates a counterclockwise moment 170 about pivot surface 124. As embodied herein, clockwise moment 166 exceeds counterclockwise moment 170 when razor handle 110 rests in its horizontal resting position on surface 162.

In FIG. 4B, a finger has applied a downward force on arm 136 to create counterclockwise moment 172 that, when added to counterclockwise moment 170, creates a total counterclockwise moment 174 that exceeds clockwise moment 166. This causes razor handle 110 to pivot counterclockwise 176 about pivot surface 124 until second end 118 contacts surface 162 and first end 116 rises above surface 162 as shown.

In FIG. 4C, the finger has released the downward force on arm 136 to release counterclockwise moment 172. This causes razor handle 110 to pivot clockwise 178 about pivot surface 124 in a clockwise direction until lower external surface 114 (or first lower section 128 a) of razor handle 110 returns to its horizontal resting position on surface 162 and second end 118 returns to its horizontal resting position at height 154 above surface 162.

Referring now to FIGS. 4D and 4E, side views of razor 100 are illustrated. In FIG. 4D, razor handle 110 with cartridge 190 coupled has been placed in the horizontal resting position. In addition to the presence of clockwise moment 166 and counterclockwise moment 170, the distributed weight of cartridge 190 creates a counterclockwise moment 180 about pivot surface 124, where the distributed weight of cartridge 190 is represented by concentrated force 172 being applied to center of mass 196. Even with the addition of counterclockwise moment 180, the sum of counterclockwise moments 170 and 180 do not exceed clockwise moment 166 when razor handle 110 rests in its horizontal resting position on surface 162.

In FIG. 4E, a finger has applied a downward force on arm 136 to create counterclockwise moment 184 that, when added to counterclockwise moments 170 and 180, creates a total counterclockwise moment 174 that exceeds clockwise moment 166. This causes razor handle 110 to pivot counterclockwise 176 about pivot surface 124 until point 198 of cartridge 190 contacts surface 162 and first end 116 rises above surface 162 as shown.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, two exemplars of prior art razor holder systems are illustrated. In FIG. 5A, razor holder system 200 includes razor handle 202 and cartridge 204 being held in place by razor holder 206 securely mounted to vertical surface 208 when razor 200 is not employed by a user. In FIG. 5B, razor holder system 210 includes razor handle 212 and cartridge 214 being held in place by razor holder 216 resting on horizontal surface 162 when razor 210 is not employed by a user.

Referring now to FIGS. 5C through 5E, side, lower perspective, and upper perspective views of razor holder system 220 are illustrated. Razor holder 222 include upper and lower enclosures 224 and 226, respectively, and magnet 228 disposed in between them. In some embodiments, upper enclosure 224 may include an aperture through which magnet 228 may be extend upwardly from lower enclosure 226.

Referring now to FIGS. 5F and 5G, side, lower perspective, and upper perspective views of razor holder system 220 are illustrated. Razor holder 222 include upper and lower enclosures 224 and 226, respectively, and magnet 228 disposed in between them. In some embodiments, upper enclosure 224 may include an aperture through which magnet 228 may be extend upwardly from lower enclosure 226. In some embodiments, razor holder 222 could include an adhesive strip 230 applied to a surface of lower enclosure 226 and adapted to affix razor holder 222 to a surface such as, but not limited to, vertical surface 208. When razor 100 is not employed by a user, magnet 130 disposed or embedded in razor 100 may magnetically engage magnet 228 of razor holder 222 affixed to vertical surface 208, such that razor 100 may be magnetically held in a resting and/or handing position that is substantially parallel to vertical surface 208.

It should be understood that the aspects, features and advantages made apparent from the foregoing are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the disclosed inventive embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained herein shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A razor handle comprising a counterbalance therein.
 2. The razor handle of claim 1, wherein the counterbalance is disposed between a first surface and an opposing second surface of the razor handle.
 3. The razor handle of claim 1, further comprising: a first end and an opposing second end adapted to receive a cartridge with at least one blade disposed therein; a base extending between the first end and a reference substantially perpendicular to a surface of the base and located between the first and second ends; and an arm extending between the second end and the reference, wherein the counterbalance is disposed within the base.
 4. The razor handle of claim 3, wherein the surface of the base is substantially parallel to a horizontal surface upon which the razor handle rests when not employed by a user.
 5. The razor handle of claim 3, wherein the surface of the base is substantially parallel to a vertical surface from which the razor handle magnetically hangs when not employed by a user.
 6. The razor handle of claim 1, wherein the counterbalance is at least a weight.
 7. A razor handle comprising a magnet therein.
 8. The razor handle of claim 7, wherein the magnet is disposed between a first surface and an opposing second surface of the razor handle.
 9. The razor handle of claim 7, further comprising: a first end and an opposing second end adapted to receive a cartridge with at least one blade disposed therein; a base extending between the first end and a reference substantially perpendicular to a surface of the base and located between the first and second ends; and an arm extending towards the second end and between the second end and the reference, wherein the magnet is disposed within the base.
 10. The razor handle of claim 9, wherein the surface of the base is a lower surface substantially parallel to a horizontal surface upon which the razor handle rests when not employed by a user.
 11. The razor handle of claim 9, wherein the surface of the base is a vertical surface substantially parallel to a vertical surface from which the razor handle magnetically hangs when not employed by a user.
 12. A razor handle, comprising: a first end and an opposing second end adapted to receive a cartridge with at least one blade disposed therein; a base extending between the first end and a first reference substantially perpendicular to a surface of the base and located between the first and second ends, and having a first center of mass located a first distance from the first reference; and an arm extending between the second end and the first reference, and having a second center of mass located a second distance from the first reference, where the first and second distances are measured along a second reference substantially perpendicular to the first reference, and the first distance is less than the second distance.
 13. The razor handle of claim 12, wherein the second end includes cartridge receiving module adapted to couple to the cartridge.
 14. The razor handle of claim 12, wherein the first reference is a vertical reference and the second reference is a horizontal reference substantially parallel to a horizontal surface upon which the razor handle rests when not employed by a user.
 15. The razor handle of claim 12, wherein the surface is a lower surface substantially parallel to a horizontal surface upon which the razor handle rests when not employed by a user.
 16. The razor handle of claim 12, wherein the first reference is a horizontal reference and the second reference is a vertical reference substantially parallel to a vertical surface from which the razor handle magnetically hangs when not employed by a user.
 17. The razor handle of claim 12, wherein the surface is a vertical surface substantially parallel to a vertical surface from which the razor handle magnetically hangs when not employed by a user.
 18. A razor handle, comprising: a first end and an opposing second end adapted to receive a cartridge with at least one blade disposed therein; a base extending between the first end and a vertical reference substantially perpendicular to both a horizontal axis and a lower surface of the base and located between the first and second ends; and an arm extending between the second end and the vertical reference, where a first moment of the base about the horizontal axis is greater than a second moment of the arm about the horizontal axis when the lower surface rests on a horizontal surface when the razor handle is not employed by a user.
 19. The razor handle of claim 18, wherein the second end includes cartridge receiving module adapted to couple to the cartridge.
 20. The razor handle of claim 18, wherein the cartridge is coupled to the second end, such that the first moment is greater than the sum of the second moment and a third moment of the cartridge about the horizontal axis when the lower surface rests on the horizontal surface.
 21. A razor handle, comprising: a first end and an opposing second end adapted to receive a cartridge with at least one blade disposed therein; a base extending a first distance between the first end and a first reference substantially perpendicular to a surface of the base and located between the first and second ends; and an arm extending a second distance between the second end and the first reference, where the first and second distances are measured along a second reference substantially perpendicular to the first reference, and the first distance is less than the second distance.
 22. The razor handle of claim 21, wherein the second end includes cartridge receiving module adapted to couple to the cartridge.
 23. The razor handle of claim 21, wherein the first reference is a vertical reference and the second reference is a horizontal reference substantially parallel to a horizontal surface upon which the razor handle rests when not employed by a user.
 24. The razor handle of claim 21, wherein the surface is a lower surface substantially parallel to a horizontal surface upon which the razor handle rests when not employed by a user.
 25. The razor handle of claim 21, wherein the first reference is a horizontal reference and the second reference is a vertical reference substantially parallel to a vertical surface from which the razor handle magnetically hangs when not employed by a user.
 26. The razor handle of claim 21, wherein the surface is a vertical surface substantially parallel to a vertical surface from which the razor handle magnetically hangs when not employed by a user.
 27. A razor handle, comprising: an upper enclosure and an opposing lower enclosure extending between a first end and an opposing second end adapted to receive a cartridge with at least one blade disposed therein, where a first upper section of the upper enclosure extends upwardly and away from the first end and a horizontal reference until reaching a neck, a second upper surface extends downwardly away from the neck and towards the horizontal reference until reaching the second end, a first lower section of the lower enclosure extends horizontally and away from the first upper section and the first end for a first distance until reaching a pivot surface, a second lower section of the neck extends upwardly and away from the pivot surface and the horizontal reference for a second distance until reaching a neck, and a third lower surface extends downwardly and away from the neck and towards the horizontal reference until reaching the second end.
 28. The razor handle of claim 27, wherein the second end includes cartridge receiving module adapted to couple to the cartridge.
 29. The razor handle of claim 27, wherein the first upper section includes a flat surface having a third distance greater than the first distance and greater than the second distance but less than the sum of the first distance and the second distance.
 30. The razor handle of claim 27, wherein the first and second ends rest above a horizontal surface upon which the flat surface of the razor handle rests when the razor handle is not employed by a user.
 31. A razor handle, comprising: an upper enclosure and an opposing lower enclosure extending between a first end and an opposing second end adapted to receive a cartridge with at least one blade disposed therein, where a first upper section of the upper enclosure extends upwardly and away from the first end and a horizontal reference until reaching a neck, a second upper surface extends downwardly away from the neck and towards the horizontal reference until reaching the second end, a first lower section of the lower enclosure extends horizontally and away from the first upper section and the first end for a first distance until reaching a pivot surface, a second lower section of the neck extends upwardly and away from the pivot surface and the horizontal reference for a second distance until reaching a neck, and a third lower surface extends downwardly and away from the neck and towards the horizontal reference until reaching the second end.
 32. The razor handle of claim 27, wherein the second end includes cartridge receiving module adapted to couple to the cartridge.
 33. The razor handle of claim 27, wherein the first upper section includes a flat surface having a third distance greater than the first distance and greater than the second distance but less than the sum of the first distance and the second distance.
 34. The razor handle of claim 27, wherein the first and second ends rest above a horizontal surface upon which the flat surface of the razor handle rests when the razor handle is not employed by a user. 